Horn signaling device



y 29, 1934- w. F. HUDSON HORN SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Aug. 22, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l May 29, 1934. w F, HUDSON 1,960,665

HORN SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Aug. 22, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 HORN SIGNALING DEVICE Filed -"Aug. 22. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 g wuentoz y w. F. HUDSON 1,960,665

HORN SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Aug. 22, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 l 1 3mm l/il/iam [Hudson Patented May 29, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HORN SIGNALING DEVICE William F. Hudson, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application August 22, 1930, Serial No. 477,162

2 Claims.

My invention relates to a novel horn blowing device adapted for use in automobiles and in similar vehicles. It relates particularly to a horn signaling device which is adapted to be operated 5 easily and efliciently by the driver of the vehicle. It may be manipulated with equal facility by either hand and under all driving conditions.

Most horn signaling devices now in use in the present time are positioned on the steering wheel post at the center of the steering wheel, this being the most convenient and most easily accessible place for such device. vices take the form of a small button which is adapted to be depressed manually to make the necessary electrical contacts. In signaling devices of the sort now in use, it is necessary for the driver to free one hand in order to depress the button to the desired extent, but oftentimes due to conditions met with in the course of ordinary driving, it is inadvisable or inconvenient to do this. For example, when shifting gears or when using the emergency brake, situations commonly met with in traffic many times in the course of a days driving, both hands must be used to guide and control the machine, making it impossible to operate the horn. A similar situation is encountered when a motorist is threatened with a collision ormust act quickly to avoid hitting a pedestrian. In such case, the collision is so imminent that there is no time to blow the horn, the driver instantly bracing himself by grasping the steering wheel with both hands and jamming on the foot brake. Furthermore, when slowing down at cross streets or to turn a corner, the motorist is usually engaged in shifting gears or using the emergency brake, yet oftentimes it is necessary to blow the horn in just these situations. In order to blow the horn under these circumstances, the car must either be brought to a stop, the left hand removed, or the motorist must refrain from shifting gears or using the emergency brake in order to blow the horn. This of course introduces a very of danger.

Considerable effort and expense has been incurred in attempting to develop systems and means to overcome the inconvenience and danger which is caused by the necessity for removing one hand from the steering wheel or from the other controls to sound the horn, but as yet, they have not been entirely satisfactory.

By the use of the horn blowing device embraced in my invention, the disadvantages accompanying present signaling devices not in use are greatly reduced. It is possible with my de- Such signaling deconsiderable element vice, at all times, with only one hand on the wheel to blow the horn by operating it with the thumb of either hand. My device is always in position,

is extremely sensitive, and is readily available for instant use. The use of my device secures 60 convenience, comfort and safety for the operator of the vehicle in which it is installed, is inexpensive, and may be shifted from one car to another with little difiiculty.

Within the scope of my invention I contemplate also the adaptation of my novel safety signaling ring for use in conjunction with other controls positioned upon the steering wheel, the horn signaling device and the other various controls being easily accessible to the operator by virtue of the fact that they are mounted upon the steering wheel assembly. For example, I may mount upon the steering wheel controls for the lighting system, starter controls, and ignition and gas controls, while still maintaining the signal operating device of my invention in position upon the steering wheel; It is obvious that there are many advantages to such an arrangement, by reason of the easy accessibility of the various controlling devices as well by virtue of the increased convenience and safety resulting therefrom. The relationship of the associated parts in such a combination will become'more evident upon an examination of the drawings relating thereto, together with the description of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a partial plan View of a steering wheel which is equipped with the horn blowing device comprising my invention;

Fig. 2 represents a partial elevation of the same shown in section and taken along section line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view shown partially in section of the ring which is used in connection with my device;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the ring taken along section line 44 of Fig. 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 show the form of spring clip which is adapted, in the preferred form of my invention, to be snapped in position on the spokes of the steering wheel;

Fig. -'7 shows a form of spring adapted to be mounted on the clip of Figs. 5 and-6 to maintain the ring member in operative position;

Fig. 8 shows a circular apertured plug, adapted to be positioned in the center of the ring;

Fig. 9 indicates an alternative form spring that might be used in place of the fiat spring shown in Fig. 7

Fig. 10 shows a further modification in which r the horn button spring is adapted to maintain the ring in elevated position, the spring used in connection with the spoke clips in the other forms of my invention, being dispensed with.

Fig. 11 shows a modified form. of my invention in which the signaling is effected by means of direct contact of the ring member with the lead-in conductors.

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation showing one way of etfecting the closing of the signaling cir Cult where the ring member contacts directly with the lead-in conductors after the manner shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13' shows an alternative means for effecting a circuit closing where the arrangement of the type shown in Fig. 11 is utilized.

Fig. 14: is a view showing the combination. oi. the signaling device with the means for controlling additional circuits and mechanisms.

Fig. 15 shows a similar arrangement to Fig. embodying other features to be used in conjunction with the general combination shown in Describing my invention particularly with respect to the drawings, reference is first made to Figs. 1 and 2. which show my signaling device in assembled position. A steering post i has mounted thereon a steering wheel 2 which is attached to the post in the usual manner. A horn button 3 is mounted on the upper portion of the post at the center of the steering wheel. It may consist of a spring pressed plunger or a flexible diaphragm as desired." A ring member 4 provided with radial portions 5, corresponding to the spokes in the steering wheel, is positioned above the steering wheel by means of spring clips 6 and rivets 'i. The spring clips are of substantially C-shape in edge elevation, as shown in Fig. 6, so that they will grip the portions or" the steering wheel with which they are associated and will not project for a material distance in any direction from the wheel. The spokes on the ring shaped member 4 are preferably the same in number as the number of spokes in the steering wheel but the number may be varied as desired, for example, there may be fewer spokes in the ring shaped member as there are in the steering wheel proper. The ring shaped member 4 may be varied in shape to become accommodated to various types of steering wheels, for example, the central portion of the ring shaped member may be depressed or raised depending upon the particular type of steering wheel to which it is applied. Flat springs 8 are fastened to the clips 6 and are adapted to maintain the ring member 4 in elevated position relative to the steering wheel. The ring member has a sliding connection with the rivets 7 which fasten it to the clips 6. The flat spring members may be made integral with the clips or, as is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, they may be made of separate pieces and maintained in fixed relation to the clips by being jammed to the clips through the medium of 'a shoulder and rivet portion on elements 7. A button 9 is shown mounted in the central portion of the ring member 4, and has a central aperture therein which is provided with portions of different diameter. A threaded adjusting pin 10 is received within the element 9 and is adapted to have an adjustable connection with the button 9. The upper portion of element 9, of enlarged diameter, is adapted to receive a lock-plug '11 which is externally threaded to co-act with a corresponding internal thread in member 9, and which may be screwed down on adiusting screw 10 to lock it in position. As indicated in the drawings, adjusting screw 10 may be maintained in contact with the horn button 3, although this is not necessarily the case. Adjustment of the screw 10 may be made to maintain the screw out of contact with the horn button if desired, depending on the sensitiveness desired and the conditions encountered in driving. The device is assembled in the following manner. Ring member 4 and springs 8 are fastened to the spring clips 6 by means of rivets 7. The spring clips are then snapped over the spokes oi the steering wheel. The locking plug ll. is then removed, adjusting screw 10 is screwed down until the horn button is depressed sufficiently to blow the horn, and is then backed one or two turns to give the desired amount of clearance. It is evident 01? course that this adjustment is a. matter or discretion and may be made more or less sensitive as desired. The small screw member 11 is now screwed into place, and is jammed on top of order to operate my device, it is unnecessary to remove the hand from the steering wheel but the wheel may be manipulated and the sounding device operated simultaneously.

An alternative form of my invention is shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings. In this form. of my invention, I dispense with the use of a central horn button and the related mechanism necessary to produce the electrical contacts for closing the signaling circuit. In this form of my invention, slidable metal washer contacts 20 and 21 are mounted on the top of the steering wheel post and are connected with the usual positive and negative conductors. These contact washers are provided with positive and negative wires 22 and 23 which are preferably molded in the wheel spokes. These wires may be distributed along each of the spokes or along as many spokes as desired to make the proper contacts. In place of being molded in the spokes they may be retained in grooves underneath the spokes, coming up through holes in the spokes into contact points 24 and 25. A ring member 26 is mounted upon the spokes by means of a spring clip in a manner described above in connection. with the other form of my invention. The ring member is maintained in elevated position by means of spring members in a manner similar to the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2. There are no radial portions associated with this ring member, but a simple ring of the type shown in Fig. 11 is sufficient. The spring clip for mounting the ring member into the spokes of the wheel may be formed with a spring portion which when depressed will contact with points 24 and 25 to close the circuit, and when in normal operative position will open the circuit.

In the modification shown in Fig. 12, the ring member is supported upon the steering wheel by means of rivets 27 and may be maintained in elevated position through coil springs 28; the lead-in wire 29 is attached to rivet 27 and the lead-in wire 30 is attached to contact member 31; the depression of the ring shaped operating member will effect the closing of the circuit. In Fig. 13, a modification is shown in which the ring 1,960,665 shaped member is maintained in elevated position by means of flat springs 32 which serve also as circuit closing members, one end of the springs being attached to post 33 and the other end adapted upon depression to contact with contact member 34. In lieu of the spring members shown in these figures, other similar means for maintaining the ring in elevated position may be used without departing substantially from the concept of my invention.

Alternative forms of circuit closing means sug-- gest themselves, and are embraced within the concept of my invention.

In these latter alternative forms of my invention, it will be evident that a very sensitive signal horn is provided. A slight depression of the ring member will cause a closing of the electrical contacts, and it may, similarly to the form of invention first described, be operated by the thumb of either hand without removing the hand from the steering wheel.

In Fig. 10 I show another alternative form of my invention. In this device, the horn button spring is alone adapted to maintain the ring in elevated position. The ring is of the same type as described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2, and is attached to the steering wheel byclips 6 and 7. In this modification, however, I dispense with spring elevating members 8, relying upon the tension of the horn button spring to maintain the ring member in elevated position. In this form of device, the ring member and clips are assembled by means of rivet members '7, the clips snapped down" upon the steering wheel spokes, and the adjustments made at the center of the ring in a manner already described in connection with the form of my invention first described. The depression of the outer portion. of the ring member will cause a depression of the horn button 3, and a closing of the circuit in a conventional manner.

Many changes in the constructions that I have described may be made for accomplishing the various functions of the different elements in the assembly. I consider such changes to be within the purview of my invention. For example, in place of the flat springs shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I may use a coiled spring of the type shown in Fig. 9, or small beehive springs may be used for the same purpose.

Referring to Fig. 14 of the drawings, I have shown a form of my invention in which my novel signal operating device has been combined to cooperate with various controls associated with the operation of motor vehicles. Element 35 represents the annular ring member which is provided with a central portion to which is secured an element 36. Element 36 is provided with the headless adjusting screw 37 by which the sensitiveness of the ring is regulated inthe manner hereinbefore described in connection with the preceding form of my invention. Operating button 38 serves as a combination horn button, starter switch, and light operating switch. With this improvement, other controls such as ignition controls and gas controls may be associated. Coil spring 39 abutting against washer 40 which is held in position by means of a jamb nut 41 serves to maintain the ring shaped member in the proper extended position. Operating button 38 is associated with the light and starter circuits in a manner well known in the art.- Spring 39 is adapted to bring member 36 back into normal position after it has been raised. The operation of the assembly shown in. Fig. 14 is as follows: Upon starting the car, the operator reaches down through the spokes of the ringlike horn attachment and pulls up on operating button 38 to close the starter circuit. When the motor is started, the operator releases the button and the latter is brought back into position by virtue of the tension in the coil spring 39. When it is desired to operate the lights, the operator reaches down through the spokes of the horn attachment and turns the control button- 38 to close or open the lighting circuits. When it is desired to ,blow the horn, the horn attachment ring is operated by depressing in the manner above described in connection with other forms of my invention. In this connection, it is to be noted that the spring on the; horn attachment button is made stronger than the spring regulating the control button.

With respect to the modification shown in Fig.

15, the arrangement shown therein is somewhat similar to that of Fig. 14. In this assembly, however, there is provided a flat spring 42 which is formed at its outer ends to securely grip the control button 43. Spring 42 is held in position by means of jamb nut 46. The assembly is otherwise the same as that shown in Fig. 14.

In the operation of the device shown in Fig. 15, when the driver wishes to start the car, he pulls up on the member 44, and after the motor starts, coil spring 45 brings member 44 back into position. In order to operate the lights, member 44 is turned either to open or close the light circuits. The horn signaling device is operated in the manner described in connection with Fig. 14. In this modification, member 44 and control button 43 operate as a single member due to the connection of the two elements by means of the inturned-fmgers on spring 42.

It will thus be noted that my horn signaling device is readily combined with the other motor car controls to form a simplified and eilicient unit.

I do not wish to -be limited to the various specific forms of my invention that have been described in detailfi I contemplate a number of changes in structure and in the arrangement of the various controls and consider such changes to be within the scope .of my invention.

In addition to the various controls which have already been described, the signal control ring which constitutes an important feature of my invention can be mounted to cooperate with direction signaling devices; for example, right and left and stop signal devices may be mounted adjacent the control ring either as a separate unit orin combination with the horn signaling device, The direction signal may, if desired, be made to operate by direct pressure upon the annular ring control member, preferably returning to neutral position upon release of the pressure applied to the ring. A dim light circuit may behooked up with the ring control member to cooperate with the same in a manner similar to that of the other controls which have been set out more in detail in my description.

- I claim as my invention:

1. In a device for use in vehicles, in combination, a steering wheel, a post for supporting the same, a switch member mounted on the post in the center of the steering wheel, a ring shaped member mounted upon the steering wheel and having a central portion disposed above the center of the steering wheel, detachable C-shaped spring connectors for mounting the ring shaped member upon the steering wheel and having slidable connection for the ring shaped member, resilient means adapted to maintain the ring shaped member in extended position relative to the steering wheel, the member at the center of the steering wheel adapted to operate the switch member when the ring shaped member is depressed.

2. In a signaling device for vehicles, in combination, a steering wheel, a button disposed at the center 01' the steering wheel and adapted to be depressed, a ring shaped member mounted concentrically with the steering wheel and hav- .ing portions adapted to overlie the spokes of the steering wheel, said portions terminating at their inner ends in an apertured central portion disposed above the button, e. button mounted in said aperture and having a threaded bore, an adjustable pin threaded in the bore, detach able clips associated with the spokes of the steering wheel for mounting the ring shaped member in position, said clips having a slidable c0nnection with the ring shaped member, resilient means disposed between the clips and the ring shaped member adapted to maintain the ring shaped member in extended position relative to the steering wheel, depression of any portion of the ring shaped member resulting in a corresponding depression of the button at the center of the steering wheel by contact therewith of an end of the adjustable pin.

WILLIAIVI I-IUDSON. 

